Families of First World War soldiers shot for cowardice have been given renewed hope of a pardon after Tony Blair pledged to look at their cases again.

He said he will consider renewed appeals for formal legal pardons for 306 men shot for desertion during the war.

Seven of those executed served with the Durham Light Infantry, while eight were with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Mr Blair's pledge comes three months after Defence Secretary John Reid agreed to reconsider granting a posthumous pardon for Private Harry Farr, who was shot at dawn on October 2, 1916, aged just 25.

His family was angered when, in February, Mr Reid upheld earlier decisions turning down the request for a pardon.

John Hipkin, who has led the Shot at Dawn campaign from his home in Walkerville, Newcastle, said: "I'm on cloud nine at the moment.

"My boys might get justice at long last. It's very significant that it's the Prime Minister who has said this.

"At last we are on the brink of having a pardon being granted for these men. The Prime Minister should show his good faith by putting the matter to the House of Commons in a free vote.

"Some of the eight Northumberland Fusiliers and seven Durham Light Infantry soliders shot at dawn were, if not sick, then on the verge of it."

At his execution Private Farr refused a blindfold, preferring instead to look the firing squad in the eye. An Army chaplain who witnessed the execution said: "A finer soldier never lived."

Three DLI soldiers were shot together in a French farmyard. They were Sergeant Joseph "Will" Stones, 25, of Crook, Lance Corporal Peter Goggins, 21, of South Moor, Stanley, both County Durham, and Corporal John McDonald, 28, of Sunderland.

Labour Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay said yesterday: "There is overwhelming support in this country and, I believe, in this House of Commons that you and a minister of defence should review these executions and remedy this wrong by granting posthumous pardons, albeit very late in the day.

"And you should do so on the occasion of this first Veterans' Day or the ninetieth anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on July 1."

As MPs shouted their approval, Mr Blair replied: "I am very happy to look at what you have said."

He added: "I do understand the concern. I will look at it. I will get back to you with an answer. I know this is a situation which even after all these years have passed causes a great deal of distress and hurt to people."